SUDS IN SUN AT MAINE BREWFEST,
Sunday River amps up autumn with craft brew & fall festivals
The hills of Sunday River are alive with the sounds of fall fun. After a year of quiet, the resort at 15 S. Ridge Road, Newry, Maine will be active this season as the annual “big C’s” return: Craft beer, cornhole and, of course, glorious autumn color.
Craft beer: It all starts with the Maine Brew Fest on Sept. 18, and this stands out because while most big brew fests take place in urban settings, this one is tucked right into the base of Sunday River.
While surrounded by early fall colors (there will be some peaks with color at that point), guests can sample Maine-made brews from more than 20 breweries, all under a tent at Sunday River’s South Ridge Lodge. The festival is much anticipated by Maine brewers, who compete to win a tap takeover at the resort’s Foggy Goggle apres spot during the busy Martin Luther King Weekend. The winner is chosen via popular vote, meaning guests have a say in the outcome.
This year, attending brewers include Atlantic Brewing, Banded Brewing, Bangor Beer Co., Bissell Brothers, Cushnoc Brewing, Definitive Brewing, Foundation Brewing Co., Geary Brewing, Lone Pine Brewing Co., Maine Beer Co., Mason’s Brewing Co., Mast Landing, Nonesuch River Brewing, Norumbega Cidery, Norway Brewing Co., Orono Brewing Co., Ricker Hill Hard Cider, Rising Tide, Saco River Brewing, Sebago Brewing, Shipyard Brewing, Tumbledown Brewing and Woodland Farms Brewery.
Tickets are required, and it’s a good idea to purchase ahead.
Three ticket types are available now online at mebrewfest.com. The VIP, at $57 per person with a limited quantity available, includes an hour of early access to the tent from 1 to 2 p.m., access to the general tasting from 2 to 5 p.m., and a sampling glass. (Pro tip: Many brewers often bring a limited supply of a special brew for the VIP session).
The General Taster ticket, on sale for $51 until Sept. 17 and for $60 on-site Sept. 18, gives access to the general tasting from 2 to 5 p.m. with a sampling ticket.
And to be sure all are safe, the Fest offers a Designated Driver ticket for $15. Only those 21 and older are able to
attend.
There’s live music throughout the event featuring the rock band Skosh, and you can take scenic chairlift rides and nosh on some great foods to pair with your brew choices.
Cornhole, color and (wife) carry: The weekend of Oct. 9-10 the resort welcomes back its annual Fall Festival, considered Sunday River’s classic homecoming event to celebrate fall foliage and the coming ski season. The weekend features the Blue Mountain Arts and Craft Fair with local artisans and vendors — a great way to get a creative and inspired jump on your holiday shopping, live music, a wine tent, Bloody Mary tent, food trucks and, for the first time this year, the Sunday River Sports sale.
There are also scenic chairlift rides, and the Sunday River golf course remains open through this weekend.
The North American Wife Carrying Competition is a highlight of the weekend and takes place Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. Now in its 22nd year, the event is just what it says: a chance to race while carrying your wife. The event has regulars, even some folks who train all year for it, as well as “bucket listers” who just want to share the experience at least once.
Winners win their wife’s weight in beer and five times her weight in cash. Of course, bragging rights and a great ice breaker story for the rest of your lives come with each entry. More than 2,500 spectators line the alpine course to cheer them on. The event is limited to 50 teams and has a $70 registration fee. You can sign up at sundayriver.com/ events/north-american-wifecarrying-championship, or just show up to watch.
Cornhole is hot this year — as embraced and loved as pickle ball in many spots. Sunday River hosts the New England Cornhole Championships on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. Forty-eight teams compete in a bracket style competition, with a $600 cash prize. Registration is open at sundayriver.com/events/new-englandcornhole-championship and is $30 a team.
Both the Jordan Hotel and Grand Summit have lodging availability for both events, and the Brew Fest has some packages attached. Foliage season will be full swing, so your weekends will be colorful to boot.